Alternativer Bildtext:

demand for literature as a distraction of challenging personal lives many executions (through torture or the scaffold, a version of the guillotine) of people who were believed to be a threat to society, the government etc. O economic growth O relative stability O increased popularity of theater, literature, music and architecture O Queen Elizabeth secured her position worldwide, strengthened English navy O successfully defeated the Spanish Armada, making England a leading sea power and achieving great prosperity → created the foundation for the British Empire time of great change, affecting the sciences as well as technology, trade, and the view of society and religion religious conflicts: Henry VIII. founded the Anglican Church and thereby officially separated England from the Catholics → divided population with different religious views ● society/people were divided into different classes O Monarchy, Nobility, Gentry (e.g. knights), Merchants, Yeomen, Laborers Theatre in Shakespeare's Time ● most common form of mass entertainment O besides bear-beating shows and drinking beer ● people of all classes went to the theatre O affordable for almost everyone ● audience often took an active part in the performance O screamed, booed, cheered, helped O included by the actors "The Globe": famous theater in London, showing mostly Shakespeare's plays O one of the biggest theaters at the time, could seat 2,500 to 3,000 people ● Elizabethan Age provided favorable conditions for increased popularity of dramas O period of change centered around conflict O focus on human interaction (e.g. in theaters) → dialogue O discussion of morals and new values Relevance Shakespeare's Relevance Today Language: Commercial success: ● made a significant contribution invented over 2.000 words in the English language and numerous expressions ● profitable brand for hundreds of years modern adaptations O West-side story (Romeo and Juliette) O Lion King (Hamlet) - tourist attraction in England → Globe and Stratford-upon-Avon Entertainment: wide-ranging topics o "something for everyone": emotional, hilarious, romantic etc. characters are authentic and therefore relatable Discussion: Teaching Shakespeare at Schools Pro: Shakespeare should still be taught one can learn a lot about the period of the Renaissance and people's way of life during that age o important to gain awareness of history in order to improve the present and broaden one's view of the world still relevant and entertaining, many of the themes are timeless O some of Shakespeare's pieces, for instance "Romeo and Juliet", are still extremely popular and often reinterpreted leave one's comfort zone by being faced with classical literature ● opportunity to expand one's vocabulary ● Shakespeare's incredible work and impact should be appreciated Con: Shakespeare should not be taught ● can often appear irrelevant after so much time has passed →>> confusing or boring to students → might ruin their interest in all classical literature ● students feel discouraged instead of empowered, as the language is very hard to understand plays were made for stage and not to be read it's become a requirement instead of a common agreement ⇒ duty ● teaching has become so ingrained/normalized that people might be oblivious to the discussion of its relevance → simply accept it as something that cannot/should not be changed ●